A behind-the-scenes ethics debate is rolling across Iowa this presidential caucus season: Should political county chairmen and chairwomen — often the doorway through which visiting candidates must pass — publicly endorse?

A few state and county party leaders have announced such endorsements, thrusting themselves into the caucus limelight and causing whispers.

Traditionally, most Iowans who hold such leadership positions have refrained from such endorsements. They are often pivotal in attracting and organizing candidate visits to their areas, and many believe it is better to retain a perception of impartiality toward all candidates vying for their party’s nomination.

“I think that it is important to keep neutral at the county level and at the state level,” said Becky Beach, a GOP operative from Des Moines who has chosen to refrain from endorsing a candidate because she has assisted the state party in raising money. “Even though you can be fair, the perception can be that perhaps that you’re not, and I think that’s a drawback if someone endorses somebody and holds a leadership role in the state.”

Story County Republican Chairman Cory Adams announced he had endorsed Ron Paul, a U.S. representative from Texas. Kris Thiessen, Clay County GOP chairman, and Josh Davenport, co-chairman, have endorsed Paul, too

Adams, who has been Story County’s GOP chairman for about seven months, acknowledged his endorsement has raised some Iowa eyebrows. But he said he continues to welcome and work to attract all candidates in his capacity as chairman.

“You’ve got people on your central committee that you may upset because you didn’t select their person,” Adams said. “I don’t regret endorsing, but there are days when it may have been easier if I had not.”

Some Iowa GOP central committee members have followed suit. Drew Ivers, A.J. Spiker, David Fischer, Jeremiah Johnson and James Mills support Paul, while Kim Lehman supports former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

Some county political groups have rules in place to prevent such endorsements, but that’s not a standard policy across the state, said Beach.

Jorgenson said his endorsement hasn’t hampered his ability to work with other campaigns wooing voters in his area. In the next few weeks, he’s going to urge other county chairs to take a stand, specifically against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

“I’m going to make an attempt to slow the Romney juggernaut down,” Jorgenson said. “I feel with the short amount of time we have to work with, we’re going to try to get major endorsements for a conservative candidate and, in my opinion, Herman Cain.”

Voters typically tell pollsters that they don’t pay large amounts of attention to endorsements, but nonetheless, such backing is significant in that it is the best predictor of who is going to win a nomination. It’s even a better indicator than money and polls, said Dave Peterson, an associate professor of political science at Iowa State University.

Peterson said GOP endorsements — from all political levels — have come more slowly this time compared with previous caucus campaigns, a sign that people are still mulling over their choices.

“These can be costly choices, because if they choose wrong, there could be trouble for them,” Peterson said. “These endorsements are incredibly important.”

Kevin McLaughlin, chairman of the Polk County Republicans, believes an endorsement from him would be disrespectful to other members counting on him to welcome all candidates.

“I have very strong views on the candidates, but for me to let that out could demoralize some of the members of my central committee who work so hard for the organization,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t want to take a chance on demoralizing people who are so talented and charitable with their time.”

Webster County GOP Co-chairman Jim Oberhelman said it comes down to personal choice.

“I think it’s a disservice to the other candidates if I personally endorse somebody,” Oberhelman said. “To each their own, but that’s just my personal opinion on it.”

Note: An earlier version of this article reported a claim from a mistaken source that Pottawattamie GOP County chairwoman Naomi Leinen endorsed Herman Cain. Leinen stood behind Cain at an event, but said she did not consider the act an endorsement. This article has been amended accordingly.